upcoming season, predictions

plouf · Guru

upcoming season, predictions

davidb · Guru

I am putting Boston in 11 or 12th place this year. They will be the most improved team in the NHL. Im not a fan , but thats just the way I see it. Now with the solid d backed up by Chara Savard up fron anf that great scoring line of Bergeron Sturm and Boyes. I just think they will be a real contender this year

plouf · Guru

Well David, I think you're right that there will be a turnaround in Boston. The optimism alone should carry them somewhere. But I was looking at their roster the other day, and to tell you the truth, it's still pretty thin. Lots of questions about goaltending, depth everywhere, no proof there will be chemistry, etc...Marc Savard has often been one of those guys who puts up a lot of points for lousy one-way teams but struggles when he has to play an all-around game. Brad Stuart has always been a shaky top-pairing defenseman in my opinion. Tim Thomas's style makes it hard to imagine him being a consistent #1 goalie. New coach and GM and a very grumpy fan base at the moment. Stuff like that.

My guess is that Boston will be a contender again but will suffer some growing pains and go on one really bad stretch that causes them to just miss out on the playoffs. There are a lot of kinks to work out.

My guess for a big turnaround: Tampa Bay, although goaltending is still a question mark that team will be HUNGRY.

-- Edited by plouf at 09:42, 2006-09-14

barry33 · Guru

plouf wrote:

Well David, I think you're right that there will be a turnaround in Boston. The optimism alone should carry them somewhere. But I was looking at their roster the other day, and to tell you the truth, it's still pretty thin. Lots of questions about goaltending, depth everywhere, no proof there will be chemistry, etc...Marc Savard has often been one of those guys who puts up a lot of points for lousy one-way teams but struggles when he has to play an all-around game. Brad Stuart has always been a shaky top-pairing defenseman in my opinion. Tim Thomas's style makes it hard to imagine him being a consistent #1 goalie. New coach and GM and a very grumpy fan base at the moment. Stuff like that.

My guess is that Boston will be a contender again but will suffer some growing pains and go on one really bad stretch that causes them to just miss out on the playoffs. There are a lot of kinks to work out.

My guess for a big turnaround: Tampa Bay, although goaltending is still a question mark that team will be HUNGRY.

-- Edited by plouf at 09:42, 2006-09-14

Plouf- dont you think that when you take an unbiased look at the habs roster that we are just as thin as Boston? Especially with the question marks over Koivu. I think that the habs are on just as thin ice as Boston is. Huet is still a question mark in my opinion..half a season and one playoff round do not make him any more established than Bostons goalies. Defence I would call equal. Montreal may get an edge in scoring if the much ballyhood Samsonov/Kovalev line clicks..but Bergeron can score too.

plouf · Guru

I think we have a slight edge on the Bruins because I don't see us being thin. Actually this is a pretty deep team at every position. What we lack is stud players like Chara, but we do have capable third and fourth line players and lots of talent on the farm.

We are more settled and there is likely more chemistry. Just a feeling on that. I think our defense corps is actually not half bad, and there is a lot of team speed.

But no doubt about it. We could go either way. My prediction is a guess with the Habs. With the Bruins though, I think there is a ceiling. They might make the playoffs, but they will not be a top notch team.